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Senior standouts: Oslund, Love, Fossen and Thom hope to rack up the points at the state swimming and diving meet

Front to back: Andy Oslund, Braydon Love, Zach Fossen and Riley Thom have
accounted for a large amount of Jamestown’s points. (Chris Aarhus / The Sun)

Zach Fossen stayed true to the commitment he made as a freshman, despite not seeing results as fast as his teammates.

The Jamestown High School senior missed out on the state swimming and diving meet the past three years. This season, he finally earned his trip.

Fossen competes in the 200 medley relay at state today in Grand Forks

“I’m pretty excited, it’s really exciting,” Fossen said. “I can’t wait to swim at state and see what it’s like.”

He isn’t as decorated as his three senior teammates, but coach Ben Smith said Fossen’s attitude makes a big difference.

“It’s really nice to see him being there, for him to be a part of that,” Smith said. “Zach’s really good with getting the kids excited at meets. ... (State) is a really good accomplishment for him, whether it’s on a relay or as an individual. It’s still a good deal.”

Make no mistake, Andy Oslund, Braydon Love and Riley Thom will account for a sizeable amount of Jamestown’s points this weekend.

Love, a co-captain, is looking for top-eight finishes in the 200 and 500 freestyles. He’s hoping to redeem himself after a promising sophomore campaign. He sits 11th in the state in both events.

“It was disappointing because I didn’t make the top 16 last year, but I did my sophomore year,” Love said. “It seemed like I swam faster times, but everyone else swam faster, too.”

Oslund has his sights set on strong placings in the 50 and 100 free. He comes in fifth in the 100 with a time of 50.19 seconds and eighth in the 50 with a 23.10.

“I’m just trying to make as big an impact as I can,” Oslund said. “I’m gunning for at least third in the 100.”

Love, Oslund, Cayden Hare and Colt Rasmussen also compete in Blue Jays’ state-qualified 200 and 400 freestyle relays. Rasmussen, an all-state performer last season, is a junior that has the seventh best seed time in the 100 and 200 free. Hare is qualified in the 200 individual medley and the butterfly.

Smith said the team is fortunate to have Oslund and Love lead in and out of the pool.

“The hardest workers are Andy and Braydon, and it shows in their performances,” Thom said. “Not only in the pool, but in the classroom. They both have 4.0s. They’re great leaders and great people to have on the team.”

Thom has been one of the state’s top divers and enters with the third-highest score (379.2). He’s been in constant competition with sophomore teammate Cody Lutman, who has the sixth best score at 358.65.

“It makes both of us feel like we bring a good name to the team,” said Thom, who is also a co-captain. “Our (senior class) is smaller, but I feel like we get the job done.”